AR HB1480

Creates a new statute (14-58-105) allowing municipalities to grant a bidding preference of up to 5% to local firms that maintain a staffed place of business within the municipality and have paid taxes there for at least 2 consecutive years.

Preference applies only when comparing bids from resident firms against non-resident firms; does not apply when all bidders are local residents.

Municipalities may place a specific dollar cap on the total preference amount granted, and procurement officials must deduct the preference percentage from resident firm bids to determine if they remain lowest.

Preference does not apply to state or federal-funded contracts to the extent it conflicts with federal or state law, but applies to contracts partially funded by federal funds with no conflict.

Excludes preference from water and wastewater utility service contracts to federal military installations and makes conforming changes to Arkansas Code § 22-9-203 to reference the new local preference statute.